A PLANNED shake-up of how students apply to university should put youngsters at the heart of it, according to a university chief.
Professor Les Ebdon, vice-chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire, spoke this week following a report by the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Chances could see A-level exams starting two weeks earlier, and students only applying for university places once they have their exam results.
Professor Ebdon, who is chairman of the university thinktank million+, said: “The outcome of this consultation will be vitally important to future students who should be at the heart of the admissions system.
“The principle of post-qualification admissions has much to commend it but these proposals are more wide-ranging and potentially cover all applicants whether they intend to study full or part-time.
“Universities will need to consider how the proposals are likely to work operationally and whether there will be any unintended consequences including for students who apply to university with a wide range of pre-entry qualifications other than A-levels and Scottish Highers.”